During my first “Winter Survival” as a Boy Scout I was shown how to build a lean-to for shelter during the cold Alaskan winter. After the Scoutmaster illustrated the essentials, each of us was sent out to make his own shelter before nightfall. I completed my project just before dark, so I thought I would walk around and look at what my fellow campers had constructed. To my surprise, none of the shelters looked exactly like the Scoutmaster’s original. Some were small and flimsy; others were larger, more ornate, and even better protection than his! It was one of those “aha” moments when you realize how something visualized completely different one from the other.

Over the years as I have communicated general principles for living, I realized that each of you would hear it from your own unique perspective. However, I have tried to be available to you in order for you to reinforce key concepts to ensure you headed in the right direction. When you got off track your mom or I would try to gently nudge you back to where you needed to be. However, some things you had to learn on your own. Most often those things are the ones that had a profound impact, because they cost you something. Now that so you are all making your own choices, your brother The Holy Spirit will help give you guidance. Don’t be like those our pastor Lee Brookins refers to when he says: “As Christians, we believe in a spiritual world that we rarely, if ever, interact with.” Interact with Him as He will be your shepherd, guide, and comforter.

One of the most comforting concepts of our faith is knowing that we have that caregiver constantly available to us. The Hebrew word Rohi describes the role of a protective leader over his or her animals. Simply put, it means the individual allows his or her animals to feed on the grasses of the fields. They are not forced to eat or drink, but are allowed to use their master’s resources as they please while being protected. The caregiver knows they are helpless and lack a sense of direction, so he or she is constantly checking up on them and redirecting their paths to ensure their care and safety. Jehovah Rohi is used in the 23^rd Psalm to illustrate this concept. Perhaps this is why it has become such a source of comfort to so many people during times of stress or loss. The concept assures us that the Spirit will be with you, no matter what. Above all, He will not lead us astray, but keep us on the right path.

This concept should not just remind us of who the Spirit is but who we are. The example Scripture uses most is that of sheep. I don’t know about you, but I hate thinking of myself and you as sheep. The reality is that we are truly more like sheep than we want to admit. Comparing ourselves to domestic animals with a limited awareness, intelligence, and ability to defend themselves from danger does not build strong self-esteem. However, in comparison to the Spirit, we possess limited abilities. We don’t always go in the right direction. We don’t always make the right decisions. We don’t always choose the right friends. Without a caregiver to give us direction and comfort, we haven’t got a chance for survival in the world. Most of us would quickly lose hope by trying to find our security in the temporal things of life. Living life in that mode is a constant source of frustration. If we focus, we will not grieve the Holy Spirit, but He will guide us down paths of righteousness and help us develop His Fruit.

Love, Dad